Chelsea FC Preseason: Winners and Losers of the Chelsea Preseason

Chelsea played their final preseason game of the summer on Saturday with a 3-1 victory over Scottish champs Ranger.

Andre Villa-Boas should be able to look back on these first seven games and smile. He saw his first few games in charge start rather dull, but the players found their fitness and form by the end.

Chelsea would manufacture seven wins out of seven games, and do so in dominating fashion. Manchester United is the only club at the top of the EPL to be able to boast such a record. This bodes well, giving the team confidence and bravado going into the first games.

Here are some of the players who came out on top from the summer matches and others who dropped.

Winner: Defense

For a manager that is best known for a high attacking philosophy, Chelsea's defense was truly the story of the preseason.

In all seven games, they gave up a grand total of one goal, to Rangers in the last game. No other top tier team in the world is able to make such a claim.

What is even more is how it was done. Opponents had very few opportunities to score at all. They dominated possession, and even when they turned the ball over, strong tackles from the backs kept threats to a minimal. Hilario and Turnbull often found themselves doing nothing more than directing traffic in most games.

An argument can definitely be made that the competition was not of the highest quality, but you can only beat the team that you play. Even with that said it is still quite a feat to keep meaningful scoring opportunities against any professional team to less than two a game. Ranger's goal even went against the run of play on  a counter attack.

John Terry, Slobodan Rajkovic, Branislav Ivanovic, Ryan Bertrand, Patrick Van Aanholt, Alex, Kalas, Ashley Cole, Jose Bonsingwa and Paulo Ferreira all rotated in and out of games and all played well defensively. This group had the best defensive record in the league last season and have already looked as if they have improved.

Not to mention, David Luiz has yet to play under Villa-Boas.

Winner: Josh MacEachran

Last year, Carlo Ancelotti began to work McEachran into the rotation in lesser games. AVB has picked up where the Italian left off and is developing the youngster even further, to the point where he has played in every game this preseason.

What is more is that he has also been one of the best out there. On a midfield that has seemed to consistently lack creativity, McEachran brings in some youth and vitality to help enliven the static play.

Odds are he will not be an everyday player, but he has for sure earned himself a consistent spot on the senior team. At only 18, he would gladly accept a spot on the bench, and perhaps even be first choice midfield replacement.

What is even more important for McEachran himself is that he has seemed to gain the respect of AVB. The whole transfer window has been concerned with finding a midfielder to replace the aging Lampard. Rather than spending millions to bring in a new face, it would be much less costly to just develop McEachran.

Not to mention, it would also give some legitimacy to the Chelsea youth academy that Abramovich has poured millions in to strengthen.

Winner: Andre Villa-Boas

It may just be preseason, but AVB has a perfect record with his new club, and even some silverware to show for it. You cannot overstate the importance of this feat.

No one would call for his head if he were to lose a few this summer, but it would show that perhaps he is not a good match for the players. At the beginning, it actually looked like this could be the case. His 4-3-3 formation did not quite click with the players. But in the last few games, they have shown that they are getting the hang of it and AVB will work out.

What is even more important is there has been absolutely zero criticism publicly about the manager from any of the players. With a mixed squad of accomplished veterans and hungry youth, inequality in playing time could have perhaps upset a player or two.

But as of right now, everyone seems happy enough to not attempt to sabotage his position.

He has also handled the transfer window extremely well, building a team for the future, spending money wisely and respecting the players he already has. All signs point to good things with AVB as they head into the season.

Winner: Roman Abramovich

Out of anyone on this list, no one may have a bigger smile than the owner.

Preseason tours serve the dual purpose of getting the team ready and promoting the club brand. Traveling to the Far East put Chelsea in the heart of Man U territory, but they seemed to win over the populace.

Four games in Asia and four sell out stadiums, many of the supporters donning the Chelsea blue over their home team's colors. The amount of money Abramovich will reap from this tour will be massive over time, as well as help open the Asian game to Chelsea influence.

Not only did he make money, but for the first time in a few seasons he isn't spending any either. Transfers have been minimal in quantity and cost, but huge in quality.

So far, the decision to hire AVB to take over the team, as well as to step back and allow him to run it, has paid off so far and does not look to stop anytime soon.

Winner: Paulo Ferreira

Brought to the club under Jose Mourinho, he excelled in his first season. However, since then, he has basically dropped to the deep bench in preference of Essien or Ivanovic.

But this preseason has seen a resurgence in a player that many thought would be on his way out of Stamford Bridge.

AVB has consistently been giving him playing time at the right back position, and he has been at his best. Getting forward, connecting with the offense and being solid defensively, he has looked like a man on a mission to be a starter again,

This also has the added benefit of allowing Ivanovic back to the center where he is best. Him and Terry would be a nearly impenetrable wall for oppositions. It is not clear yet who will be the RB on opening day, but Ferreira will definitely be in the talk.

Winner: Preseason History

Though these numbers are arbitrary and may mean little in the grand scheme of things, it is interesting to point out that in any season where Chelsea have won a trophy, they have gone through the preseason unbeaten.

In seasons where they did not win a trophy, they lost at least one preseason game.

If history repeats itself, Chelsea could be adding a lot of silverware to their trophy room.

Winner: Daniel Sturridge

You would be hard pressed to find a Chelsea player who had a better preseason than this young fellow. He picked up right where he left off on his loan to Bolton, leading the team in goals with three. One of them was a fabulous individual effort and finish.

Beyond goal scoring, he has been a work horse on the wing. He has proclaimed he would like to play the middle, but at this point, he looks like the most natural winger Chelsea has. His speed, technique and natural finishing ability are all the attributes AVB asks for in his wingers.

Out of the many young players who got a chance this preseason, no one took it as well as Sturridge. He did not only work himself onto the bench, but he almost certainly will be in the regular rotation.

Loser: Yuri Zhirkov

Zhirkov never quite lived up to his billing as the most expensive Russian player in the world over the past few seasons. With a new manger, things perhaps had a chance to change.

But he would struggle this preseason, as he never quite seemed to fall into the flow of the game. He turned the ball over far too many times in the midfield and was not clicking with his teammates.

Last week, he became the first casualty of AVB's first team when he was sold to the Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala. The move was probably for the best for both the team and the player.

Loser: Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard seems to be having difficulty in playing the free flowing game that his manager is asking of him. This does not mean Lamps is finding himself on the out and out, but just that it is taking a little longer than the rest.

In his defense, unlike other players who are having to more adapt their games to the new style, Lampard is kind of having to reinvent himself as a player. He will be able to; it will just take some time.

"Loser" may be too harsh of a way to describe his preseason. Let's just call it a "work in progress."

Loser: Jose Bosingwa

The Portuguese right back suffers more due to the progress of his competitors than his actual performance. Ferreira and Ivanovic are going to be difficult to bump out of the slot. Not to mention both have the ability to play multiple positions, which is not the case for Bosingwa.

With Euros coming up next summer, he will not want to see the limited action that it looks like he would as of right now. He is still a capable back, and some money could be got for him. Selling him this summer may be the best option.

Loser: Michael Essien

The Ghanian midfielder just can't seem to catch a break. Only a few days into training cramp, he suffered a torn ACL that will sideline him until at least January.

It is really a sad story for Michael Essien. When he is healthy, there is really no other player in the world like him, one that can play literally any position on the field and has an unmatched work ethic.

His loss was by far the biggest injury during any team's preseason. But his return in January will be the biggest acquisition of any EPL club this winter, guaranteed.

Loser: Transfer Window

Whether you agree or disagree that Chelsea need to make signings this summer, it is obvious they have done a poor job of getting the players they target.

So far, Sergio Aguero, Javier Pastore and Neymar have all snubbed a move to Stamford Bridge. Luka Modric remains the out there, but after months of pursuing, little ground has been covered.

Ron Gourlay announced that Chelsea were intending on making two signings within the next 10 days. That statement is going on week two.

I personally do not think any signings are of necessity, but at the same time, you have to build the team you have now. It is nice that AVB is having foresight and getting young talent, but in five years when they are ready to play, AVB won't be around if he doesn't win now.

Had it not been for Lukaku's signing the other day, this whole period would have been a bust and a wasted opportunity to get players that could have an immediate impact.

Loser: The Rest of the EPL

Chelsea look like one of the best teams this preseason, and for the most part, everything seems to be clicking.

Manchester United will be the threat to Chelsea recapturing the league, but the staunch defense and fluid attack look like they may be enough to usurp the Red Devils.

Broke Even: Fernando Torres

I have to say the jury is still out on Fernando Torres.

Many believe Ancelotti's tactics just didn't suit the Spaniard. And even though he has looked better under AVB, he has still only managed two goals, one against Wycombe and another with a bit of luck against Aston Villa.

To his credit, he is getting looks and creating opportunities for himself, but there is only so long that fans can keep saying they are bound to go in eventually.

With Drogba looking as good as ever and the signing of Romelu Lukaku, Torres seems to still be a the top of the depth chart thanks to the 50 million pound price tag. All can be forgiven in the preseason, but if he wants to stay a part of this starting team, he needs to start netting some goals quickly.

Your Winners and Losers?

Who do you think really helped their case this preseason? Who showed that they are dispensible? Let's get a good debate going that will hold us over until Sunday when Chelsea kick off against Stoke!